Academic Paper / Article

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Although perceived changes in political participation patterns amongst young people in recent years have attracted much academic research in established democracies this remains an understudied area in the newer post-communist democracies of Central and Eastern Europe. In established democracies, researchers have shown that although many young people are increasingly shunning traditional forms of political involvement, suchas voting and political party membership, instead they are turning to more direct methods such as volunteering and protest. Despite evidence that young people in newer... Read more

Although perceived changes in political participation patterns amongst young people in recent years have attracted much academic research in established democracies this remains an understudied area in the newer post-communist democracies of Central...

The statement issued by the Muslim Brotherhood in response to the UN Commission on the Status of Women draft Agreed Conclusions on violence against women, is nothing short of an assault on their most basic rights as citizens and human beings, says Hoda Elsadda ,
The 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at UN headquarters (4-15 March) which ended with an Agreed Conclusions was particularly eventful, with a group of countries, including Egypt, attempting toroll back some hard-won rights.
On March 14th 2013, the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Egypt issued astatement condemning... Read more

The statement issued by the Muslim Brotherhood in response to the UN Commission on the Status of Women draft Agreed Conclusions on violence against women, is nothing short of an assault on their most basic rights as citizens and human beings, says...

This guide is based on a three-week on-line discussion on young women and HIV/AIDS, hosted by The Association for Women's Rights in Development and UNIFEM. It provides an overview of the on-line discussions, highlights young women’s leadership in HIV/AIDS, and provides useful activities for those who want to start campaigns to raise awareness and decrease stigma in their communities. It targets young women who are leaders in their community. Read more

This guide is based on a three-week on-line discussion on young women and HIV/AIDS, hosted by The Association for Women's Rights in Development and UNIFEM. It provides an overview of the on-line discussions, highlights young women’s leadership in...

Historically, customs and traditional laws in Africa hindered women's access to education and development, while promoting, to a varying degree, a culture of male dominance across the continent. However, there is now growing recognition of the crucial role women play in overcoming the social, economic and political challenges faced by the continent. Policy changes for this purpose are now being widely advocated, although there is significant scope to progress women's rights and participation. The democratization process has brought a timid but significant increase in the participation of... Read more

Historically, customs and traditional laws in Africa hindered women's access to education and development, while promoting, to a varying degree, a culture of male dominance across the continent. However, there is now growing recognition of the...

This powerpoint presentation was given during the Regional Conference on Women's Political Participation: Charting a Path for Political Equality in Asia, organized by UNDP and the National Committee on Gender Equality of Mongolia. Ms. Rabindranath explored avenues that women can take to get into politics, in addition to traditional methods, including:
Community engagement
Peace building and nation building
Exposure to democratic principles
Decentralization
Social movements and student activism
Male role models
The presentation is available for download in English and Mongolian. Read more

This powerpoint presentation was given during the Regional Conference on Women's Political Participation: Charting a Path for Political Equality in Asia, organized by UNDP and the National Committee on Gender Equality of Mongolia. Ms. Rabindranath...

Numerous behavioral studies have found women to be more trust-worthy and public-spirited than men. These results suggest that women should be particularly effective in promoting honest government. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that the greater the representation of women in parliament, the lower the level of corruption. We find this association in a large cross-section of countries; the result is robust to a wide range of specifications.
To access the full article, please click here. Read more

Numerous behavioral studies have found women to be more trust-worthy and public-spirited than men. These results suggest that women should be particularly effective in promoting honest government. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that the...

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This article celebrates the life and work of Bella Abzug, co-founder of the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO). It highlights her achievements in advancing women's rights and equality. Read more

This article celebrates the life and work of Bella Abzug, co-founder of the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO). It highlights her achievements in advancing women's rights and equality.

C

This article advances the argument that parliaments confronting situations of crisis and recovery benefit from integrating a gender perspective into their core functions. It argues that women and men are differently affected by conflict, and that a gender lens is essential in helping parliamentarians understand when and how the needs of men and women differ in crisis and recovery situations. Read more

This article advances the argument that parliaments confronting situations of crisis and recovery benefit from integrating a gender perspective into their core functions. It argues that women and men are differently affected by conflict, and that a...

This issue of "Conflict Trends, on Women, Peace and Security" contains several articles that seek to stimulate debate regarding the positive contributions that women make on peace and security issues in Africa. The authors address two main issues: first, the risks and challenges that women face on the continent; and second, the achievements that have been made to mainstream gender at decision-making levels of sub-regional organizations. Read more

This issue of "Conflict Trends, on Women, Peace and Security" contains several articles that seek to stimulate debate regarding the positive contributions that women make on peace and security issues in Africa. The authors address two main issues...

This paper discusses the participation of women in post-conflict societies and examines the problems they face in their efforts to participate in elections. It also describes the legislative measures that have been taken in several countries to enhance the participation of women. Read more

This paper discusses the participation of women in post-conflict societies and examines the problems they face in their efforts to participate in elections. It also describes the legislative measures that have been taken in several countries to...

This research paper examines the theory of women’s empowerment, and explores the challenges faced by practitioners and policy makers in implementing this theory. Using the case study of women in panchayati raj (Indian village councils), the author analysis the concept of empowerment through the lens of boundaries and spaces. The author explores the types of struggles women face when taking up new opportunities, some of the impact of political quotas in India, and presents an alternative interpretation of empowerment.
The paper begins by looking at the concept of empowerment from the framework... Read more

This research paper examines the theory of women’s empowerment, and explores the challenges faced by practitioners and policy makers in implementing this theory. Using the case study of women in panchayati raj (Indian village councils), the author...

Women’s human rights discourse and movements have become entangled within a culture-versus-rights dualism. Yakin Ertürk argues that this is a false dualism which serves both private patriarchy and public patriarchy of neo-liberal globalisation
The 1990’s was a remarkable period in experiencing the unravelling of a world order that has characterised much of the twentieth century, and in revealing the contradictory tendencies towards and trends in the making of a new social contract between and within societies in the post cold war era.
This period witnessed a new awakening in human rights... Read more

Women’s human rights discourse and movements have become entangled within a culture-versus-rights dualism. Yakin Ertürk argues that this is a false dualism which serves both private patriarchy and public patriarchy of neo-liberal globalisation...

D

This article highlights the recent increase in programs devoted to civil society development, and the simultaneous decrease in programs aimed at strengthening political parties and institutions. The author argues that strengthening political parties and institutions is critical to democratic development, and that even in countries with strong civil societies, weak political parties and institutions may hamper the development of a healthy democracy. Read more

This article highlights the recent increase in programs devoted to civil society development, and the simultaneous decrease in programs aimed at strengthening political parties and institutions. The author argues that strengthening political parties...

This document analyzes the changes in Latin America and the relationship between democratic governance and the reform of gender inequality practices. It provides two sections that evaluate the concept of governance, and the reflection on the relationship between gender and institutions. It also emphasizes the work of the women’s movement to achieve the democratization of societies and the regulation of institutional frameworks based on gender parity. Read more

This document analyzes the changes in Latin America and the relationship between democratic governance and the reform of gender inequality practices. It provides two sections that evaluate the concept of governance, and the reflection on the...

In these series of articles policy makers, practitioners, and academics discuss long-running conflicts around the world and highlight women's experiences and potential to contribute both to war and peace. Read more

In these series of articles policy makers, practitioners, and academics discuss long-running conflicts around the world and highlight women's experiences and potential to contribute both to war and peace.

This paper is aimed at stimulating discussions in the round table on human rights, gender and HIV/AIDS. It discusses the human rights and gender targets in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and elaborates on strategies to achieve these targets. Read more

This paper is aimed at stimulating discussions in the round table on human rights, gender and HIV/AIDS. It discusses the human rights and gender targets in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and elaborates on strategies to achieve these...

Citing examples from the New Zealand House of Representatives, this paper tests the claim that women can influence political decisions only once they achieve a critical mass within legislative bodies. The conclusion is that the possible impact of women in parliaments cannot be determined by numbers alone. Read more

Citing examples from the New Zealand House of Representatives, this paper tests the claim that women can influence political decisions only once they achieve a critical mass within legislative bodies. The conclusion is that the possible impact of...

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This policy paper calls for the party assistance community to develop joint principles for project needs assessment, monitoring of implementation and impact evaluation, that would make activities more effective and efficient. Read more

This policy paper calls for the party assistance community to develop joint principles for project needs assessment, monitoring of implementation and impact evaluation, that would make activities more effective and efficient.

Women activists say they won a major step forward with Egypt's new constitution, which enshrined greater rights for women. But months after its passage, they're worrying whether those rights will be implemented or will turn out to be merely ink on paper.
The causes for concern are many. Men hold an overwhelming near-lock on decision-making in politics, and activists say they are doing little to bring about equality. Violence against women in public space has grown over the past three years of turmoil since the 2011 ouster of autocrat Hosni Mubarak. And some activists say the increasingly... Read more

Women activists say they won a major step forward with Egypt's new constitution, which enshrined greater rights for women. But months after its passage, they're worrying whether those rights will be implemented or will turn out to be merely ink on...

The paper includes three brief case studies of the electoral processes in Yemen, Lebanon and Jordan. It attempts to assess how the electoral process in each of these countries was supportive, or not, of women’s participation. It also identifies the similarities and differences among them to help draw conclusions and make recommendations on how to better support women’s participation in elections in the Arab region, as well as in other post-conflict countries. Read more

The paper includes three brief case studies of the electoral processes in Yemen, Lebanon and Jordan. It attempts to assess how the electoral process in each of these countries was supportive, or not, of women’s participation. It also identifies the...

This article encompasses material that was prepared for a training workshop on eliminating violence against women (VAW). It highlights ideas, concepts, policies, approaches and strategies for a greater involvement and engagement of men to eliminate gender violence. It also provides examples of best practices of organizations and networks that involve men in eliminating VAW, as well as an inventory of organizations and initiatives working in partnership with men to end VAW. Read more

This article encompasses material that was prepared for a training workshop on eliminating violence against women (VAW). It highlights ideas, concepts, policies, approaches and strategies for a greater involvement and engagement of men to eliminate...

Women have traditionally been marginalised from the structures of state that determine political and legislative
priorities. In recent years, Africa has witnessed rapid escalation in female political representation. This paper
illustrates the emerging trends that have been noted in women’s political participation in Africa. These changes
have engendered the potential for increasing women’s entrance to political power. The new trends in women’s
political participation have been aided by an amalgamation of numerous factors. The paper examines the factors
that have led to the positive... Read more

Women have traditionally been marginalised from the structures of state that determine political and legislative
priorities. In recent years, Africa has witnessed rapid escalation in female political representation. This paper
illustrates the...

This article discusses the relevance of gender in the context of macroeconomic analysis, arguing that macroeconomic policies are gender-biased in their effects and that gender inequalities at the micro- and meso- levels have macroeconomic implications. It also provides a summary of UNDP efforts in the area of gender and macroeconomics. Read more

This article discusses the relevance of gender in the context of macroeconomic analysis, arguing that macroeconomic policies are gender-biased in their effects and that gender inequalities at the micro- and meso- levels have macroeconomic...

This paper examines the case of women's participation in electoral processes in Mozambique. It investigates gender-sensitive legislation, voter registration and education, political parties, and training of women candidates. Read more

This paper examines the case of women's participation in electoral processes in Mozambique. It investigates gender-sensitive legislation, voter registration and education, political parties, and training of women candidates.

This paper is based on the experiences of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and its programme to provide support to women in parliaments of post-conflict countries. It focuses on the question of post election support and assesses the challenges faced by newly-elected women in post-conflict countries. Read more

This paper is based on the experiences of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and its programme to provide support to women in parliaments of post-conflict countries. It focuses on the question of post election support and assesses the challenges...

The essays in this volume explore the multiple factors that influence the process of engendering governance in complex societies. They focus particularly on the changing roles of various actors such as women’s movements, the state and civil society. These papers analyze current developments that indicate the ways in which women are participating in governance, and discuss the obstacles that remain. Read more

The essays in this volume explore the multiple factors that influence the process of engendering governance in complex societies. They focus particularly on the changing roles of various actors such as women’s movements, the state and civil society...

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This paper reveals the positive role that Maghribi women have been playing in the overall development of their countries. Four major interrelated domains where these achievements are significant are considered: women’s reproductive rights, women’s movements, women’s legal rights, and women’s knowledge production. Issues related to these domains are analyzed from a broad comparative perspective which involves an overall political and economic contextualization. Read more

This paper reveals the positive role that Maghribi women have been playing in the overall development of their countries. Four major interrelated domains where these achievements are significant are considered: women’s reproductive rights, women’s...

One of the unmistakeable notes of euphoria during the 'Arab spring' uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia came from women proclaiming that they finally felt safe in public spaces in societies where the record of sexual harassment and violence against women ordinarily leaves much to be desired. The fusion of a mobilized citizenry - young and old, veiled and unveiled, male and female, Muslim and Christian - into a civic bloc demanding their rights will remain a compelling - if ephemeral - image of the events leading to the overthrow of the Mubarak and Ben Ali regimes. We have since been treated to a... Read more

One of the unmistakeable notes of euphoria during the 'Arab spring' uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia came from women proclaiming that they finally felt safe in public spaces in societies where the record of sexual harassment and violence against women...

Well-targeted public investments that reduce inequality can be self-sustaining insofar as they raise the productive capacity of the economy and thereby stimulate growth. With growth come higher incomes, generating the tax base to fund future public investment expenditures. This policy brief explores these issues as they regard gender equality.
It first considers the main macroeconomic challenges for financing for gender equality. Then, it dentifies crucial linkages between expenditures to promote gender equality and fiscal space, providing some empirical evidence on the beneficial effects of... Read more

Well-targeted public investments that reduce inequality can be self-sustaining insofar as they raise the productive capacity of the economy and thereby stimulate growth. With growth come higher incomes, generating the tax base to fund future public...

This paper argues that participatory budgeting and analysis - whether it is pro-poor, environment-sensitive or gender responsive - offers a new and innovative means of encouraging a balanced distribution of public resources and ensuring government accountability to international and national commitments. Read more

This paper argues that participatory budgeting and analysis - whether it is pro-poor, environment-sensitive or gender responsive - offers a new and innovative means of encouraging a balanced distribution of public resources and ensuring government...

This article discusses women’s rights in Senegal through the prism of the country’s religion, culture and secularism. It also describes the globalization of women’s human rights and the response of fundamentalists to this issue. Read more

This article discusses women’s rights in Senegal through the prism of the country’s religion, culture and secularism. It also describes the globalization of women’s human rights and the response of fundamentalists to this issue.

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This paper emphasizes the importance of a gender-based approach to national energy policies. It explains how the differing roles of men and women affect their energy needs and concerns, and how gender equity is essential to sustainable development. It also includes case studies highlighting the gender impact of energy policies in Sri Lanka and China. Read more

This paper emphasizes the importance of a gender-based approach to national energy policies. It explains how the differing roles of men and women affect their energy needs and concerns, and how gender equity is essential to sustainable development...

This article examines the various approaches to understanding the relationship between women and poverty. It discusses traditional methods of analysis, which focus primarily on female-headed households, as well as new conceptualizations of poverty and their importance in gender-based poverty analyses. Read more

This article examines the various approaches to understanding the relationship between women and poverty. It discusses traditional methods of analysis, which focus primarily on female-headed households, as well as new conceptualizations of poverty...

This paper explores the gendered dimensions of poverty, of poverty-producing processes, and of the methods for formulating gender-sensitive poverty eradication measures within the context of development. Read more

This paper explores the gendered dimensions of poverty, of poverty-producing processes, and of the methods for formulating gender-sensitive poverty eradication measures within the context of development.

This research paper focuses on gender and social capital in northern Nigeria and attempts to fill some of the knowledge gaps withing existing gender relations. It discusses the impact of gender roles on collective action and access to resources. Read more

This research paper focuses on gender and social capital in northern Nigeria and attempts to fill some of the knowledge gaps withing existing gender relations. It discusses the impact of gender roles on collective action and access to resources.

The author outlines changing approaches to women’s issues and gender equality in theUN system both before and since the International Women’s Year in 1975 and describeshow different UN organisations followed up the recommendations made by the largeglobal women’s conferences. Read more

The author outlines changing approaches to women’s issues and gender equality in theUN system both before and since the International Women’s Year in 1975 and describeshow different UN organisations followed up the recommendations made by the...

This paper serves as a guideline for parliamentarians to facilitate the process of gender mainstreaming in Viet Nam by providing examples of best practices employed by parliaments around the world. It highlights the emerging gender issues with respect to the institutional framework of parliament, the functions of parliament, the organization and management of parliament, and the members of parliament. It also offers guidelines for integrating a gender perspective into each of these areas. Read more

This paper serves as a guideline for parliamentarians to facilitate the process of gender mainstreaming in Viet Nam by providing examples of best practices employed by parliaments around the world. It highlights the emerging gender issues with...

Presentation made by Professor Drude Dahlerup of the University of Stockholm at the Conference on Effective and Sustainable Participation of women in elected assemblies, held in Algiers, December 10-11. Read more

Presentation made by Professor Drude Dahlerup of the University of Stockholm at the Conference on Effective and Sustainable Participation of women in elected assemblies, held in Algiers, December 10-11.

This paper argues that effective poverty eradication measures and pro-poor governance indicators must take into account women's perspectives and needs. It explores the extent to which existing indicators of governance are gender-sensitive and pro-poor, considers how they could be made more gender-sensitive and pro-poor, and proposes additional indicators that might better capture the gender and poverty dimensions of governance. Read more

This paper argues that effective poverty eradication measures and pro-poor governance indicators must take into account women's perspectives and needs. It explores the extent to which existing indicators of governance are gender-sensitive and pro-...